Depending on where you live, you may get pretty cold when working out in your garage. It can be really helpful to purchase a space heater to put out a lot of heat in just a few minutes. The size of your garage will be an important consideration when choosing a suitable heater, as are portability and safety features. Here are a few tips and reviews to help you find the best space heater for an uninsulated garage.
How Much Power Does a Space Heater for Your Garage Need?
When choosing a space heater, you will notice that the power rating is listed in BTUs. Basically, the higher the BTUs, the higher the watts. This also means the unit will have more power and be heavier, so it can heat a larger space. The power rating is also set for the best possible conditions, so you may want to buy a space heater with more than you need in case of poor insulation or drafts.
See Also:
- The Best Electric Space Heater for a Basement – Unbiased Reviews
- The Best Space Heater for 300 Square Feet
- The Best Heaters for Asthmatics: Top 5 Recommended by Health Professionals
If you have a small garage, you probably need an infrared or radiant heater that works well in small spaces and heats objects instead of air. These space heaters don’t lose heat due to drafts or ventilation ducts. A fan-forced heater of about 1.5 kw would also work for a small garage. Larger garages will need a heater between 4,000 and 5,000 watts. Also, remember your ceiling height. You will need a heater with more power if it is really high.
Fixed or Portable Garage Heaters
Another question is if you want the space heater to stay in one place or if you plan to move it around. Look for a portable heater with wheels and a handle if you plan to move the space heater around a lot. You want to ensure you have something that can be transported easily to another electrical outlet. Remember that fueled heaters give you the most freedom, so you don’t have to worry about plugs, either.
A fixed heater can be a good choice if you don’t plan to move the space heater. Fixed into place and wired into an electrical circuit, these heaters can’t be knocked over accidentally and they give you more space in your garage since they are typically fixed higher up and off the floor.
Safety Features
- Tip-Over Switch – Since it is common for things to be knocked over, especially when you are working in the garage, you will want to get a space heater with a tip-over switch. This will ensure that if the heater is knocked over, the unit will turn itself off automatically.
- Overheat Protection – When you use a space heater for a long period of time, it can become too hot to work. Overheating protection guarantees that the unit will turn itself off to top the high temperatures from damaging internal parts.
- Cool-Touch – If you have children or pets, you want a space heater that isn’t too hot to touch. To ensure maximum safety, look for a heater that has a cool-touch feature.
Other Features to Consider
- Adjustable Louvers – To help direct heat where you need it, look for space heaters with adjustable louvers.
- Power Cord Length – Space heaters with a long enough power cord will let you place the unit where you need it most. Finding extension cords that are safe to use with a high-power output heater can be challenging, so it’s important to find a space heater with a power cord that is long enough.
- Carry Handle & Wheels – If portability is important, look for a carry handle that lets you pick it up and move it easily. Also, castors and wheels can be helpful in moving the heater around without having to lift it. These units can be heavy, especially if they have a larger element. Remember that lifting up a heater can be back on your back, so choose a space heater with wheels or casters to make portability a lot easier.
The Best Space Heaters for an Uninsulated Garage – Reviews
1) Dr. Heater DR-988 Space Heater
The Dr. Heater DR-988 is an industrial infrared heater with a specially created heating element and a very portable design. This unit is ideal for warming a construction site, workshop, garage, or basement. It has an adjustable built-in thermostat that goes from high to low, allowing it to maintain your preferred temperature. It also features a fan that will provide consistent warmth.
Sturdy and dependable, the Dr. Heater DR-988 includes an auto energy-saving feature an advanced dual heating, so it can heat a large room quickly and evenly without worrying about cold or hot spots. This very portable unit comes with an integrated carry handle and a cord storage feature that will keep your storage area uncluttered.
Safety features include overheat cut-off protection, a high-temperature heating limit, and finger-proof discharge and intake grills. With the ability to heat a room up to 600 square feet, this unit comes with 5600 watts and 240 volts. The Dr. Heater Dr-988 is not intended for household or residential use and needs a 220V plug.
Pros
- It works well in bedrooms providing consistent heat
- The unit can heat an entire room in 15 minutes
- It is super easy to move and store
Cons
- It is not a quiet unit and can vibrate at times
- It is not very attractive to look at
Comfort Zone CZ220
Featuring rugged steel construction, the Comfort Zone CZ220 is created for long-term use in harsh environments. This is a fan-forced heater that is made from heavy-gauge steel that can stand up to quick spikes and drops in temperatures when exposed to badly insulated areas. Providing targeted heating, the mounting angle is adjustable so you can direct the airflow from the 240 Volt heater towards any area.
Featuring easy-to-use manual controls, the dual knob in the front of the unit allows you to turn the machine on and off or simply adjust the thermostat. The Comfort Zone CZ220 features a space-saving design that can be mounted on the ceiling and includes hard-wired installation saving important floor space in a busy work area.
The Comfort Zone CZ220 also comes with Smart Safety Features, including a built-in sensor that will turn off the heater immediately when it reaches an unsafe temperature to stop overheating. And, you will see a power light that lets you know when it is in use, so you can remember to turn it off when you leave the room.
Pros
- This is a good heater for the money
- It is easy to install with simple circuitry
- You can feel the airflow from a few feet away
Cons
- The fan blades come loose easily and are out of balance
- Fan nuts also become loose after a while
Dr. Heater DR966 Space Heater
Fast, comfortable, and safe, the Dr. Heater DR966 is an industrial heater that you can easily install in a new or remodeled building. Used as auxiliary or primary heat, this is a great source for exposed areas, dorms, hospitals, churches, schools, workshops, warehouses, stores, factories, and a garage. It provides long service life and uniform heat thanks to the electric heating elements with low sheath temperatures.
With maximum airflow but little noise and turbulence, the Dr. Heater DR966 is an eight-inch large and dynamic fan that distributes warmth gently throughout the area. Thermally protected and completely enclosed, this heater uses a permanently lubricated heavy-duty ball-bearing motor to provide low maintenance and a long lifespan. The adjustable thermostat is built-in, allowing you to set your preferred style.
The front cover is made of rugged stamped steel and includes five-way louvers that are easily adjusted for better airflow. Included with the heater are mounting brackets for either the wall or ceiling. The Dr. Heater DR966 is hardwired and does not have a power cord.
Pros
- It puts out pretty good heat standing a few feet away
Cons
- The fan is louder than expected, more like a box fan
- The initial warm-up takes longer than you would want
Air Choice Mica Panel Space Heater
The Air choice Mica Panel Heater features an intelligent timer, which lets you decide the start and stop time during a 24-hour period. It also comes with an automatic thermostat that will turn the machine on and off in cycles depending on your thermostat settings, allowing you to maintain comfortable temperatures all day. Using electromagnetic waves, the Air Choice Mica Panel Heater will transfer 100 percent of the electrical input into heat, making the unit more efficient and allowing you to save up to 50 percent on your electric bill.
There is no fan in this heater resulting in low noise output and making it more allergy-friendly without dust blowing around. The Air Choice includes safety features such as tip-over protection that will turn the unit off automatically until you adjust it. It also includes overheat protection that shuts off the machine to protect you when the internal temperature reaches a certain point.
Covering up to 350 square feet, the Air Choice only takes three seconds to heat up using reflective and convection technology that is more efficient. This is more powerful, featuring mica mineral, providing warmth immediately, making it faster and energy-saving. And the adjustable thermostat is designed to match your warming needs and will occasionally cycle until it reaches your preferred temperature.
With the universal wheels, this unit can be used as a portable heater, but it also comes with wall mounting equipment in case you want it to be stationary. Perfect for offices and bedrooms, with no noise, you can easily work and sleep while the space heater warms you directly instead of the surrounding air. It also does not blow dust around the room, making it perfect for those with allergies.
Pros
- It is a good value for nice warm heat
- A nice and quiet unit that is lightweight
- Easy to assemble and install
Cons
- It doesn’t put out as much heat as expected
- It has an annoying click when it turns off
Why do garage units adjust to outside temperatures?
To better understand what type of space heater to use for your garage, you should know why garages adjust to outside temperatures. Garages are often attached to a house or they can be unattached. Many homes do not have heating (or cooling) vents that lead into their garage space. Since your garage unit doesn’t have a constant heating source, the unit will typically adjust to outdoor weather conditions.
Insulation and storm windows can also be used to insulate your garage from the cold. However, you have to ensure you are not closing off your ventilation sources in this area when you insulate. Remember, carbon monoxide poisoning can happen when you heat up your car or run a fuel-based machine in an enclosed garage. So, using a space heater can hold back the cold while using your garage area.
Garage Space Heaters are Different from Regular Space Heating Models
Space heating units for garages are typically bigger than the standard space heaters used inside your home. These units typically have a larger heating capacity because they constantly must work against the elements. Remember, a space heater is not normally used to heat up a whole home. It provides additional or supplemental heat within your home’s environment.
Garage heaters typically do not have an HVAC system to rely on. They have to perform this task without support. So, the units are bigger to make sure they are providing adequate heat for the environment. Garage heaters are also more durable than the models used indoor, and they are also more flexible with how they can be positioned within a garage’s space.
What common features do garage space heaters have?
We have already discovered that garage space heaters are typically larger than regular ones. Many of these heaters are also made with handles and grips.
Fans are commonly used in garage-styled space heaters. These fans are used to suck in air and to blow it out into the area once it is heated. The large open faces of garage heaters allow more hot air to be pushed into the environment.
Most garage heaters have knobs and switches. However, a few of them have digital controls. Some units have both types of control. Many space heaters for garages are electric models with cords. Electric plug-in units make more sense because they reduce the risk of carbon poisoning from fuel-based units.
The larger units are also heavy. Garage unit heating models can also be mounted on the ceiling or walls. Most models are not set up for use in this way. However, a few garage heating manufacturers do sell them in this way.
Ceiling-mounted heating units provide heated air from the top of the ceiling downward. They are great for helping to keep a garage area perfectly balanced in terms of temperature. Remember, most ceiling-mounted garage heaters use infrared heating, which transfers heat into the area by warming up objects. The objects then give off heat. However, many models also have fans that blow heat through a garage.
All garage space heaters typically provide between 5000 and 10000 watts of power. These units are designed to heat up at least a standard-sized garage area. Some units provide more than 10000 watts of energy and can be used to heat up large garage spaces or ones with multiple bays. Sometimes, you might have to get more than one large-sized garage unit to heat up multiple bays.
